Cryptomining and mobile threats top security risks

Corporate January 23, 2019 01:00

By JIRAPAN BOONNOON
THE NATION

CRYPTOMINING is the top cyberthreat to organisations globally, according to Check Point, a cybersecurity software company.

The firm expects to generate double-digit revenue growth by the end of this year, as it helps companies protect their assets. Banks, financial companies and government are their main target markets in Thailand.

Check Point Software Technologies has launched the first instalment of its 2019 security report. And the Southeast Asia regional director, Evan Dumas, notes the global cybersecurity solutions firm’s report highlights the main tactics that cybercriminals are using to attack organisations and industries worldwide.

Executives also need to protect their organisation from fifth-generation cyberattacks and threats, says Dumas. An unprecedented level of cyberattacks are playing out as large-scale, multi-vector mega attacks that inflict major damage on businesses and their reputations.

But the key malware trends and techniques observed in 2019 are cryptominers or cryptomining, mobiles, multi-purpose botnets and ransomware, says Dumas.

Cryptomining, which dominated the top-four most prevalent malware types and impacted 37 per cent of organisations globally in 2018, remains the most common threat in 2019.

Meanwhile, mobiles are a moving target for cyberattacks. Around 33 per cent of organisations worldwide were hit by mobile malware, with the leading three malware types targeting Android OS, the report notes. Multi-purpose botnets were the third most common malware type, with 18 per cent of organisations hit by bots, which are used to launch distributed denial-of-service (DdoS) attacks and spread other malware.

Last is ransomware, which impacted just 4 per cent of organisations globally.

To solve cyberthreats in organisations, the firm also provides cybersecurity solutions such as Maestro, which is the first hyper-scale network security solution. It is said to enable businesses of any size to enjoy the power of a flexible cloud-level security platform to protect their customers from fifth-generation cyberattacks from malware and ransomware, along with other targeted attacks.

“I think that Thailand rates in the top two for the security market, behind Singapore. Thailand also has a high potential for growth in the mid-market for cybersecurity,” said Dumas. The firm has appointed Yuvaluk Saenque as the first Thailand country manager, and expects to generate double-digit growth in the Kingdom, mainly through targeting banks, financial institutions and government.